Frequently Asked Questions
Insurance and Coverage?
We currently provide direct billing for Blue Cross serving VA, CF, and RCMP as well as Moter Vehicle Accident victims (only after extended health benefits have been exhausted can we directly bill to Auto insurer).
We also have our procurement number with the Federal Government as a service provider.
We cannot issue a receipt in someone elses name even if it is a spouse or child.
Any gift certificate purchased is not covered by insurance.
If you purchase a package you pay up front but the receipt for the service will be provided on the day the treatment occured not before.
Does OHIP cover Massage Therapy/Chiropractic Osteopathic or Acupuncture Treatments?
No, these services are only covered through extended health care plans, check with your employer or insurance company to see your coverage. (you may need a doctors prescription to be fully covered)
What to expect on my first visit and What do I wear?
Wear as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, we will adapt to your needs (With Massage Therapy, only the areas being worked on will be uncovered otherwise you are covered with a sheet at all times). First we will have you fill out a detailed health questionaire where your privacy and confidentiality will be maintained, you will then have an assessment from the practitioner which may include special tests, Postural alignment assessment and verbal questions based on what you have shared on your health form. Sessions may require you to lie face up or down on the table, your therapist will instruct you with their approach, ask if you have any questions and ensure consent is accepted. If at any time you are uncomfortable please inform the Therapist to ensure you receive the best treatment possible, following the treatment you will be asked your result, be honest we want you to improve, being polite doesn’t help us find the best treatment approach for you. Home care advice and a recommendation of when to return will then be provided.
For Acupuncture and Osteopath it is recommended to bring Shorts and a t-shirt
Chiropractic can be done over the clothes but for exercises it is best to have a change of clothes to make mobility easier
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What areas are typically worked on in a general full body massage?
How often is recommended to go for Massage Therapy, Chiropractic and Acupuncture?
Factors such as pain level, availability, finances, insurance coverage and your body’s healing time will affect your decision. After going over your health history with you and treating you, your therapist can give you a recommendation as to how often they think you should come. Ultimately the decision is yours.
Is there an Age limit to receiving Services?
What is an Assessment?
After a Massage what should I do?
What is Red Light Therapy and How would it be Helpful?
Mounting evidence is proving red light therapy to be extremely effective in treating pain and inflammation in joints and muscles, insomnia and other sleep disorders, cognitive deficiencies, immune health issues, among others. It is also used by many professional athletes to improve fitness and performance, as well as to reduce recovery time.
There are few to no side effects to red light therapy treatments. In fact, it is currently being explored as a safe alternative to opioid use in the treatment and management of pain.
Just like with food, light provides various nutrients to the body. We’re all familiar with how UV light produces vitamin D in the body, and how blue light affects your circadian rhythm and sleep health. Both UV light and blue light are part of the spectrum of what we call the five “bioactive” types of light, along with far-infrared light, red light, and near-infrared light. These lights, all different wavelengths, penetrate the body at varying depths, thus affecting the body at varying levels.
Red light and NIR light produce a biochemical reaction within the mitochondria that ultimately helps use oxygen more efficiently to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the vehicle that transports energy throughout the body.
red light therapy works is by exerting temporary stress on the cells, much in the same way as exercising stresses out your muscles. This stress provokes an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant response within the cells which, make them stronger.
Red light therapy, in contrast, acts on pain and inflammation at the cellular level. Rouge Red Light Therapy uses light-emitting diode (LED) devices that allow both red light and near-infrared light to penetrate deep into the body’s tissues to optimize the functioning of the cells, which in turn leads to reduced pain and inflammation in the body.
Rouge’s wide range of devices are registered with the FDA and health Canada reported to aid in the relief of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including muscle spasms, minor muscle and joint aches, as well as pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
What if I miss my appointment or have to cancel?
We ask for all rescheduling or cancellations to provide a minimum of 12 hours notice or arrange to have someone else take your spot, we do have a policy that the first offense is 50% of cost, the second offence is the full cost of the appointment. We may waive these fees in the case of emergencies. The reality is this time has been set aside for you and if you had not requested it someone else would’ve, its not fair to your Therapist as they lose income and are not paid if you do not show up otherwise.
Are Acupuncture and Dry Needling the Same?
The approach is based on Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles. It should not to be confused with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique of acupuncture. However, since the same filiment needles are used in both dry needling and acupuncture, the confusion is understandable.
Acupuncture originated in China over 5000 years ago. It’s based on the belief that health is determined by a balanced flow of chi, the vital life energy present in all living organisms.
According to acupuncture theory, chi circulates in the body along twelve major pathways, called meridians, each linked to specific internal organs and organ systems. By inserting very fine, sterile single-use needles at specific points along the meridians, your acupuncturist can redirect and reposition the flow of energy (chi) for the purpose of relieving tension, stress, and pain. The uninterrupted and balanced flow of energy along these meridians contributes to one’s overall health. However, blockages and imbalances result in pain and illness.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Does Cupping Hurt? Why are you left with Large Purple Marks?
The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area if there are no issues in a particular area you will have no mark, and range from a bright red to dark purple, usually lasting 3 days to a week – sometimes longer if the person is very sick or sedentary.
What exactly does an Osteopath do? and how can it help?
Osteopaths are Manual hands on practitioners they use gentle techniques that are effective at relieving pain and promoting function and mobility. Osteopaths address the whole body particularly digestion, the techniques used are anything from Visceral or Cranial Sacral therapy to myofascial stretch to positional release, you wear shorts and bra or t-shirt there is assessment manipulation but this does not involve traditonal massage
